More than 7,000 people are expected to visit the University of Reading on Saturday for the last open day of the year

Reading will see more than 7,000 extra visitors on Saturday for the final open day of the year at the University of Reading.

Sixth-formers considering applying to the university will be coming onto the Whiteknights and London Road campuses to see what student life at Reading has to offer.

Student recruitment officer Nyola Stewart said: "The University of Reading offers more than 250 different undergraduate degrees and the chance to study at a highly rated research-intensive university.

"We have a huge amount of interest from young people in what’s on offer here, and based on registrations, Saturday will be the biggest open day we’ve run so far.

"The day will showcase every single subject plus give a great insight into student life, showing visitors the halls they would live in, the kind of societies they could be part of, and the support – financial and otherwise – they can access.

"In addition to academics from every department, and staff representing services from sports to finance, there will around 300 student guides to show visitors around and give them a first-person account of student life. "

There will also be a range of student societies showing off their skills – from cheerleading to samba drumming and from archery to breakdancing.

One special visitor will be BBC Radio 1 film critic Rhianna Dhillon who studied at the university. She will be talking to the university’s vice-chancellor, Sir David Bell, in front of visitors.

Many of the visitors will look around town while here, so shopkeepers and café owners can expect a boost to trade, while local residents may notice more people. The university is especially keen to welcome young people from the local area.

Ms Stewart said: "It’s easy to overlook an option because it’s right on your doorstop but many of our students do come from nearby and the open day is a great way to explore that possibility. Just visit www.reading.ac.uk to register."

Her one note of caution is to bring an umbrella: "The forecast isn’t looking perfect, but we’re expecting it to be a fantastic day anyway."

The closing date for applications is for courses starting in September 2014 is 15 January 2014 .